3 Days Danakil Depression Tour

The hottest place on earth in three unforgettable days

About The Tour

3 Days Danakil Depression Tour: Dallol, Erta Ale and the Salt Flats

The hottest place on earth in three unforgettable days

Overview

This 3 day Danakil Depression tour is the fastest way to see one of the strangest landscapes on the planet. You fly from Addis Ababa to Semera and drive straight to Erta Ale, one of the few volcanoes in the world with a lava lake, for the first evening. On day 2 you cross the Afar lowlands to the salt flats of Lake Asale, more than 100 metres below sea level, and on day 3 you walk among the yellow and green sulphur springs of Dallol and watch salt being cut by hand and loaded onto camel caravans, before driving up to Mekele. From Mekele you can fly back to Addis Ababa in the evening, or continue your trip to Gheralta, Axum or Lalibela. The trip runs in our own 4×4 vehicles with an experienced driver, an English speaking guide and the Afar local guides and scouts required in the region.

Duration

3 Days (2 Nights)

Suggested Accommodations

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Fly Addis Ababa to Semera, Drive to Erta Ale

Take the morning flight from Addis Ababa to Semera, the capital of the Afar region, about an hour in the air. Your driver and guide meet you at Semera airport and you set off across the Afar lowlands, with a lunch stop on the way and views of lava fields, sand and Afar villages. Reach the Erta Ale area in the late afternoon. There is no long hike: the walk from the vehicles to the crater is short, about 20 minutes at most. After dark, stand at the edge of the crater and watch the glowing lava below you. Dinner and overnight at the simple shelters near the crater.

Day 2: Erta Ale to Dallol and the Salt Flats of Lake Asale

Return to the crater at sunrise for another look at the lava, then breakfast. Drive north across the Afar lowlands towards Dallol, stopping for lunch on the way. In the late afternoon arrive at Hamed Ela, the Afar village at the edge of the salt plain, and drive out to Lake Asale to watch the sunset over the salt flats, where water often lies on the surface like a giant mirror. Dinner and overnight at Hamed Ela.

Day 3: Dallol Sulphur Springs, Drive to Mekele and Fly to Addis Ababa

Start early to beat the heat and visit Dallol, a field of bright yellow, orange and green sulphur pools, salt pillars and acid springs. Continue to the salt mining area where Afar and Tigrayan workers cut salt blocks by hand and load them on camel caravans. After lunch, drive up the escarpment through Berhale to Mekele, watching the landscape change from desert to highlands. Drop off at Mekele airport for your evening flight to Addis Ababa, or continue your tour to Gheralta, Axum or another destination in the north.

Travel Advice

Current travel advice (October 2026): the US government currently advises avoiding the Afar, Tigray and Amhara regions, and the UK advises against all travel to Tigray and against all but essential travel to Afar, which includes the Danakil. Check your own government’s latest advice and make sure your travel insurance covers you before you book. We follow the situation on the ground every day, run this route only when we judge it safe, and will talk to you about other dates or another itinerary if conditions change.

Price and Booking

Price: on request. This tour runs as a private trip on any date you choose. The price depends on group size, hotel level and season, so we quote each trip individually. Tell us your dates and number of travellers and we reply within 2 hours, with a full itinerary and quote within 24 hours.

Get a free quote or message us on WhatsApp +251 988 111 222.

What Is Included

Private 4×4 vehicle with fuel and an experienced driver, from Semera airport to Mekele
English speaking tour guide throughout
Afar local guides, scouts and police escort fees
All entrance and permit fees in the Danakil
Full board meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3
Mattresses and bedding for the nights at Erta Ale and Hamed Ela
Bottled water during the tour

Not Included

International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
Travel insurance
Flights from Addis Ababa to Semera and from Mekele to Addis Ababa
Hotel in Mekele before or after the tour
Drinks, tips and personal expenses

Best Time to Go

The Danakil is best from November to February, when daytime temperatures are around 30 to 35°C. From March to October it often goes above 45°C, so trips start very early and keep walking to the cooler hours. We usually do not run the Danakil in June, July and August.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Danakil Depression safe to visit?

Tours run with Afar local guides and armed scouts, and we watch the local situation closely before every departure. Several governments currently advise against travel to parts of Afar and to Tigray (see the travel advice above). If conditions change we adjust the route or reschedule, and we tell you before you travel.

Do I need to hike to Erta Ale?

No. There is no long hike. The vehicles get close to the volcano and the walk to the crater is short, about 20 minutes at most, so anyone with average fitness can do it.

Can I add more days?

Yes. The tour ends in Mekele, so many travellers continue to Gheralta and the Tigray rock churches, Axum or Lalibela. See our 5 day Danakil and Gheralta tour.

What should I pack?

Light long sleeved clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, sun cream, a head torch, closed shoes for the lava and a light warm layer for the evening at the crater.

Tour Languages

Amharic, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Please inform us of your preferred language when booking.

Note: The itinerary can be customized based on your preferences and time availability.

Booking Form

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